I can now categorically state that now matter how much I love opening presents I actually love gifting the right something to the right someone even more.
December brings not just Christmas (Santa - Yay!!! Oh okay and some religious connotations but these need to be recognised as pre-Christian in origin. 'K Mama???) but also Sylv's birthday. It was hard enough coming up with a Christmas present for her (oh but we got a cracker!) as well as something to send her husband, Grandad (what happened to it is a whole other post) but then I had to think of a birthday present. As you may recall part of last year's Great Trip Home was to celebrate Sylv attaining the fine age of 'ahem-ty' and quite honestly she has no more need of anything. Please do not misunderstand me there is LOADS she wants (who doesn't??) but what?
Oh the delights of blog-hopping. I found just what I wanted at the delicious and divine Ink & Spindle . Last year Sylv got an uber-whizzy sewing machine, a quilter's delight by all accounts, and the fabulous collaboration between between Sooz and the I&S mob was just begging to be given a test drive. One click quick of the mouse, a brief diversion to Paypal and WHAM!! the gift was on its way.
Through a very crackly line last Sunday I told Sylv to watch out for a parcel from Melbourne, it contained her birthday present. I rang this a.m. to find if it had arrived yet.
"Oh! Was that from you? There was no label or anything but we have had a lovely time at sewing coming up with ideas for an outer fabric."
"Yes, it was from us - Happy Birthday!" (thinking 'I told you it was coming, you shouldn't have opened it yet!')
After explaining who Ink & Spindle were Sylv and I blog-shopped together, ooohing & aaaahing over the beautiful fabric patterns and colours. Choosing one as a favourite and then another. Suggesting, mulling and planning. With 12,000 miles between us (usually) over the last 20 years we haven't spent many hours shopping together so this morning was special. A lovely shared moment which left me feeling a little emotional. Not in a cry-y way but just with a lovely warm glow that I had introduced my mother to this lovely shop and she would get to choose something lovely to celebrate her 'ahem-ty-first' birthday.
Trash Can Do Anything! (The not-so-secret diary of life and stuff in a hilltop town.)
Showing posts with label TGTH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TGTH. Show all posts
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Tribute to my mother
Last year we went off on TGTH. The major reason for squandering any inheritance our kids may have expected on airline tickets was Sylv was having a major birthday just a few days before Christmas.
Lots and lots of people coming to sing happy birthday and eat yummy food.
Lots and lots of people standing there waiting to hear speeches.
Lots and lots of people I had to face.
I finally got a copy of my notes today. Giovanna is at Sylv's and is able to work the computer. Something which Sylv is unable (unwilling) to do.
I missed Mothers' Day in Australia last week, mostly because it was two months ago here in the UK. So, even though she won't read it (see above note about tech capability), I am posting my notes of that speech to share why I think my mother is so fabulous.
'Delighted to be asked to speak, to be given the responsibility because being the youngest I NEVER normally get to do anything!!
Horror when I realized I would have to write the speech and stand before you all as well! Prevent brain freeze turned thoughts to what I could say. What I should say!!
Lists seemed perfect format and if I were any kind of daughter I would have come up with a birthday-ful list of adjectives but I can see the sparkly sitting there and so I shall limit the list to just groups of five.
Five adjectives
Elegant, glamorous, strict, naughty and compassionate.
Elegant – Not many looked as good as that in those fashions from the 1970s.
Glamorous – watching Mum dress in fabulous gowns to go to dinner dances and being smothered with lippy kisses.
Strict – few were so silly to actually take liberties but Mark Morris got out of a telling off by playing the piano on the premise that ‘music soothes the savage beast’.
Naughty – I sat through my confirmation mortified that Mum actually would flick the rolled up lifesaver foil at ‘RonaldOurBishop’ as she was threatening.
Compassionate – childhood memories of sitting in the car while Mum helped at the scene of some accident. One particular instance I sat and read my book as she assisted some older gentleman (somewhat the worse for drink) off the road and back to his home.
From my mother I learned what it is to be a strong woman.
To have the courage of my convictions.
That laughter is essential.
To be true to my moral compass
That it is okay to cry (and sometimes unstoppable – cheers Auntie Lil)
Survival alone is impossible and the help, guidance and assistance of family and friends are invaluable. (sadly many of whom cannot be present today)
Were I asked to choose one animal to represent her – it would be an eagle.
Fierce when necessary, provider and protector but able to soar the warm currents as they come.
For what is life without a sense of joy and passion? And those things are so often to be found in the creative. All of us here have benefited in some form – a hand knit jumper (CK being the wrong shape not withstanding), quilts, marmalades, some of her fabulous roses, her handiness with a pair of garden clippers or her wisdom and energy.
Almost certainly Mum did not realize that each time she shared those stories of family history, jokingly repeated the nuns’ words or issued parental commands that she was building the framework of my life. So to finish let me tell you
Five things my mother said
(subtitled – Five things I heard.)
She said 'Don’t wear patent leather shoes and a dress.'
I heard 'Have a sense of decency and self-esteem.'
She told me about 'the day she took on the Australian Army – and won!'
I heard 'If right is on your side don’t be afraid if the other guy is bigger.'
She said 'Just wait in the car; I’ll be back in a minute.'
I heard 'It is essential to make time for people in need.'
She said 'PUSH!'
I heard 'Sometimes you have to work through the pain to achieve your goal.'
She said 'If Jodie Williamson jumped off a cliff, would you do it?'
I heard 'Think for yourself and don’t be afraid to say no.'
So for all of that and so much more – Mum, I thank you and I love you.
Ladies and gentlemen please raise your glasses to the birthday girl – Sylv. '
Lots and lots of people coming to sing happy birthday and eat yummy food.
Lots and lots of people standing there waiting to hear speeches.
Lots and lots of people I had to face.
I finally got a copy of my notes today. Giovanna is at Sylv's and is able to work the computer. Something which Sylv is unable (unwilling) to do.
I missed Mothers' Day in Australia last week, mostly because it was two months ago here in the UK. So, even though she won't read it (see above note about tech capability), I am posting my notes of that speech to share why I think my mother is so fabulous.
'Delighted to be asked to speak, to be given the responsibility because being the youngest I NEVER normally get to do anything!!
Horror when I realized I would have to write the speech and stand before you all as well! Prevent brain freeze turned thoughts to what I could say. What I should say!!
Lists seemed perfect format and if I were any kind of daughter I would have come up with a birthday-ful list of adjectives but I can see the sparkly sitting there and so I shall limit the list to just groups of five.
Five adjectives
Elegant, glamorous, strict, naughty and compassionate.
Elegant – Not many looked as good as that in those fashions from the 1970s.
Glamorous – watching Mum dress in fabulous gowns to go to dinner dances and being smothered with lippy kisses.
Strict – few were so silly to actually take liberties but Mark Morris got out of a telling off by playing the piano on the premise that ‘music soothes the savage beast’.
Naughty – I sat through my confirmation mortified that Mum actually would flick the rolled up lifesaver foil at ‘RonaldOurBishop’ as she was threatening.
Compassionate – childhood memories of sitting in the car while Mum helped at the scene of some accident. One particular instance I sat and read my book as she assisted some older gentleman (somewhat the worse for drink) off the road and back to his home.
From my mother I learned what it is to be a strong woman.
To have the courage of my convictions.
That laughter is essential.
To be true to my moral compass
That it is okay to cry (and sometimes unstoppable – cheers Auntie Lil)
Survival alone is impossible and the help, guidance and assistance of family and friends are invaluable. (sadly many of whom cannot be present today)
Were I asked to choose one animal to represent her – it would be an eagle.
Fierce when necessary, provider and protector but able to soar the warm currents as they come.
For what is life without a sense of joy and passion? And those things are so often to be found in the creative. All of us here have benefited in some form – a hand knit jumper (CK being the wrong shape not withstanding), quilts, marmalades, some of her fabulous roses, her handiness with a pair of garden clippers or her wisdom and energy.
Almost certainly Mum did not realize that each time she shared those stories of family history, jokingly repeated the nuns’ words or issued parental commands that she was building the framework of my life. So to finish let me tell you
Five things my mother said
(subtitled – Five things I heard.)
She said 'Don’t wear patent leather shoes and a dress.'
I heard 'Have a sense of decency and self-esteem.'
She told me about 'the day she took on the Australian Army – and won!'
I heard 'If right is on your side don’t be afraid if the other guy is bigger.'
She said 'Just wait in the car; I’ll be back in a minute.'
I heard 'It is essential to make time for people in need.'
She said 'PUSH!'
I heard 'Sometimes you have to work through the pain to achieve your goal.'
She said 'If Jodie Williamson jumped off a cliff, would you do it?'
I heard 'Think for yourself and don’t be afraid to say no.'
So for all of that and so much more – Mum, I thank you and I love you.
Ladies and gentlemen please raise your glasses to the birthday girl – Sylv. '
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Helllllooooo!!!!!!!!!
Is there anyone still out there?
Through no fault of my own (this time, ahem) the posh whizzy Vaio has been sick for a few weeks and is even currently in hospital at the computer shop. This is the first time in 17 years of knowing CK that he has been unable to fix a breakage on the computer so it must have some serious issues.
This has meant any computering has been done via Jane or Nancy (CK's little handheld Dell Axims) for nearly two weeks now. I have been able to read most blogs (But Pioneer Woman? Your site is soooooooooo huge.) and even comment on a few. Sadly I have been unable to actually blog as neither Jane nor Nancy is happy to share tales of Hilltop life with the wider world. However today CK rigged up the 'dead (I had a bath)' Dell laptop to speak with the Innernets again so HURRAH!! Here I am :-)
It has been a busy few weeks so if you can bear with me I have a picture or two to share over the next few posts.
Most recently - Easter.
For no discernable reason destructoBoy thought this rather yummy chocolate 'babbit' was apt for me ;-)
Easter Monday was rather lovely around here. We did some gardening.
Then before that was the bloggy picnic. Unfortunately I entrusted the camera to Pr. C-W and d/Boy so we only have two pictures of the event, both contain fuzzy images of elbows and knees.
However as I am so late in posting about it there will be pictures on other sites I feel sure. Except Moogsmum. Don't go there, she has doctored a picture to make me look quite odd!
What I can offer you is a photo of the picnic quilt I started to construct to take to sit on. I didn't finish it but on of my ex-children had a lovely time playing tea parties on it while it was laid out to figure out the finished design.
The reflection is in the door of the fireplace.
Way, way back many, many moons ago it was Mother's Day here in the UK. CK asked what I would like to eat. I replied anything I didn't have to make.
Obviously it is a crown. Perhaps the ham is a cape and the pickles/gherkins sceptres? I am unclear as to the role of the Pringles but undoubtedly they are out to further their position at court. Notice how they are cuddling up to the injured pickle?
Then destructoBoy constructed dinner. And I do mean constructed.
This is a birthday present from back in Feb to the ex-child of mine in the tea party picture.
They were jammed tight into all little crevices and while they did come out it was more like eaten jointed rabbit pieces rather than sweet bunny shapes.
And dragonflys!!!!!
Through no fault of my own (this time, ahem) the posh whizzy Vaio has been sick for a few weeks and is even currently in hospital at the computer shop. This is the first time in 17 years of knowing CK that he has been unable to fix a breakage on the computer so it must have some serious issues.
This has meant any computering has been done via Jane or Nancy (CK's little handheld Dell Axims) for nearly two weeks now. I have been able to read most blogs (But Pioneer Woman? Your site is soooooooooo huge.) and even comment on a few. Sadly I have been unable to actually blog as neither Jane nor Nancy is happy to share tales of Hilltop life with the wider world. However today CK rigged up the 'dead (I had a bath)' Dell laptop to speak with the Innernets again so HURRAH!! Here I am :-)
It has been a busy few weeks so if you can bear with me I have a picture or two to share over the next few posts.
Most recently - Easter.
For no discernable reason destructoBoy thought this rather yummy chocolate 'babbit' was apt for me ;-)
Easter Monday was rather lovely around here. We did some gardening.
Then before that was the bloggy picnic. Unfortunately I entrusted the camera to Pr. C-W and d/Boy so we only have two pictures of the event, both contain fuzzy images of elbows and knees.
However as I am so late in posting about it there will be pictures on other sites I feel sure. Except Moogsmum. Don't go there, she has doctored a picture to make me look quite odd!
What I can offer you is a photo of the picnic quilt I started to construct to take to sit on. I didn't finish it but on of my ex-children had a lovely time playing tea parties on it while it was laid out to figure out the finished design.
It is made up of the charm square assortment I was sent by Kylie. Theoretically it is a dark/light construction but...... towards the end of the initial sewing stage things got a bit lax. Ahem, moving swiftly on ........................
I was given a bunch of flowers by CK one night several many days ago now. He had been away in Madchester for a week having a love-in with all the other boffins in the company so the kids got magazines and bob and I got fleurs.
I was given a bunch of flowers by CK one night several many days ago now. He had been away in Madchester for a week having a love-in with all the other boffins in the company so the kids got magazines and bob and I got fleurs.
The reflection is in the door of the fireplace.
Way, way back many, many moons ago it was Mother's Day here in the UK. CK asked what I would like to eat. I replied anything I didn't have to make.
Princess Curly-Wurly was responsible for lunch.
Obviously it is a crown. Perhaps the ham is a cape and the pickles/gherkins sceptres? I am unclear as to the role of the Pringles but undoubtedly they are out to further their position at court. Notice how they are cuddling up to the injured pickle?
Then destructoBoy constructed dinner. And I do mean constructed.
The baked beans were a beard. I feel he may need to trim the hair in his ears though!!
The (decidely odd) hand of CK can be detected in both these meals
This is a birthday present from back in Feb to the ex-child of mine in the tea party picture.
This was were the first tranche of Kylie squares went. I had fun with this and while it will never win awards for any part of its construction she is thrilled with it. And when you are three it really is all about you, don't you know?
Pre-Easter (pre-Lent in fact) I bought this rather gorgeous tin thinking to make rather gorgeous Easter cakes, plus I don't happen to think having five different rabbit-shaped cake tins is excessive. Whatever anyone else may say!
Pre-Easter (pre-Lent in fact) I bought this rather gorgeous tin thinking to make rather gorgeous Easter cakes, plus I don't happen to think having five different rabbit-shaped cake tins is excessive. Whatever anyone else may say!
d/Boy and I had a lovely morning at the very beginning of the holidays baking and one of the tins we used was this.
Oh disappointment :-(
They were jammed tight into all little crevices and while they did come out it was more like eaten jointed rabbit pieces rather than sweet bunny shapes.
We forced ourselves to consume the lot though ;-)
On the same day I bought my lubbard flamingo fabric I also found these.
On the same day I bought my lubbard flamingo fabric I also found these.
Oh Elumps! I see this becoming the inside to a shopping bag. Just think, there would be no need to ever make a list because as we know - elumps never forget.
My mother bought some of this at Spotlight during TGTH and I kicked myself (metaphorically obviously) I didn't get any. Hurray when I found a bolt in fabric shop in the big town!
My mother bought some of this at Spotlight during TGTH and I kicked myself (metaphorically obviously) I didn't get any. Hurray when I found a bolt in fabric shop in the big town!
And dragonflys!!!!!
Loving the brightness. I may get brave and make this into a slipover type for Princess C-W.
We shall see.....
Monday, 26 January 2009
Seriously! This is NOT a craft blog!
I was given a present when I was at home.
Well, actually I was given quite a few, what with it being Christmas and all...... however .... I was given a present by Missus Proprietress at Ballaarat Patchwork! I think she got me off to a head start with a few squares predone, realising if I had a plan to follow and a swift kick workwards it was unlikely to join my fabric collection.
Aren't those some pretty colours? And chenille!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday afternoon I had a can of Pepsi. Is it a higher %volume than the other brand? Because in the space of four hours I had drunk my third can. Not drinking tea or coffee MAY predispose me to a slightly unusual reaction to such things, the nett result was me being awake until 0215 this morning ;-)
However I used my time productively - I got the sewing machine out of its cage about 2300 hrs last night and pieced a few more squares and then blocks! I have two more blocks to complete and then BAM! I have nearly a quilt.
OMG! Get me doing all this sewing thing!
Well, actually I was given quite a few, what with it being Christmas and all...... however .... I was given a present by Missus Proprietress at Ballaarat Patchwork! I think she got me off to a head start with a few squares predone, realising if I had a plan to follow and a swift kick workwards it was unlikely to join my fabric collection.
Yesterday afternoon I had a can of Pepsi. Is it a higher %volume than the other brand? Because in the space of four hours I had drunk my third can. Not drinking tea or coffee MAY predispose me to a slightly unusual reaction to such things, the nett result was me being awake until 0215 this morning ;-)
However I used my time productively - I got the sewing machine out of its cage about 2300 hrs last night and pieced a few more squares and then blocks! I have two more blocks to complete and then BAM! I have nearly a quilt.
OMG! Get me doing all this sewing thing!
Pah! Who says this is a craft blog!!!
Despite what some in the cheap seats down the back may say this blog remains my 'online not-so-secret diary'. And as such I shall use it to document the adventures and excitements of TGTH.
Some of you may be aware an internationally recognised and attended 'Trash & Treasure Meet' took place while I was back in Australia. What some of you Johnny Foreigners (Why yes! That would be anyone not from or not living in Australia! It is Australia Day today so suck it up and let's move on ;-) may not realise is that a 'Trash & Treasure Meet' is what is known in the UK as a 'Car Boot Sale' and I believe in the US as a 'Swap Meet'. Sadly neither of these would have worked as cleverly as the pun Jodie fashioned so it is fortuitous I was headed back home for Christmas!
The first collage shows what happens when you put a crafting of bloggers into a delightful shop frontage - much chatting, laughter and purchasing (but obviously not from me as I was mid-car windscree/running away from home saga!) .
1. Beautiful shop windows and bloggy heads and bodies.
2. Lovely wee quilt and chatty bloggy heads and bodies.
3. A little of the loveliness available at Ballarat Patchwork.
4. The other side of the loveliness at Ballarat Patchwork (plus bloggy body).
And once the car was all fixed by the nice man I made my way back to the second stage of the Trash and Treasure Meet in the hot Australian sun.
1. Missus FlowerGarden with that naughty little Lucy Locket.
2. Ricrac coming toward me brandishing said naughty Locket.
3. View of a collective bloggers' picnic.
4. Locket being the recipient of bloggy love.
5. RicRac lightly tossing the salad prior to my pedicure ;-)
6. That naughty Locket girl sitting quietly and giggling at all the grown-up chat going on around her!
And after Stage Three of the meet-up at Jodie's house (with the beautifully washed floors and a quiet nana nap for those in need) we ventured up to the delights of Annie's Flowergarden for Stage Four. But do you know? That naughty Locket child pushed her way to the front AGAIN! So much for only being 'seen and not heard'. That child needed to learn a lesson about grown-up time and start to make herself 'not seen and not heard'! She only had herself to blame when things started to turn a bit lairy!
Some of you may be aware an internationally recognised and attended 'Trash & Treasure Meet' took place while I was back in Australia. What some of you Johnny Foreigners (Why yes! That would be anyone not from or not living in Australia! It is Australia Day today so suck it up and let's move on ;-) may not realise is that a 'Trash & Treasure Meet' is what is known in the UK as a 'Car Boot Sale' and I believe in the US as a 'Swap Meet'. Sadly neither of these would have worked as cleverly as the pun Jodie fashioned so it is fortuitous I was headed back home for Christmas!
The first collage shows what happens when you put a crafting of bloggers into a delightful shop frontage - much chatting, laughter and purchasing (but obviously not from me as I was mid-car windscree/running away from home saga!) .
2. Lovely wee quilt and chatty bloggy heads and bodies.
3. A little of the loveliness available at Ballarat Patchwork.
4. The other side of the loveliness at Ballarat Patchwork (plus bloggy body).
And once the car was all fixed by the nice man I made my way back to the second stage of the Trash and Treasure Meet in the hot Australian sun.
1. Missus FlowerGarden with that naughty little Lucy Locket.
2. Ricrac coming toward me brandishing said naughty Locket.
3. View of a collective bloggers' picnic.
4. Locket being the recipient of bloggy love.
5. RicRac lightly tossing the salad prior to my pedicure ;-)
6. That naughty Locket girl sitting quietly and giggling at all the grown-up chat going on around her!
And after Stage Three of the meet-up at Jodie's house (with the beautifully washed floors and a quiet nana nap for those in need) we ventured up to the delights of Annie's Flowergarden for Stage Four. But do you know? That naughty Locket child pushed her way to the front AGAIN! So much for only being 'seen and not heard'. That child needed to learn a lesson about grown-up time and start to make herself 'not seen and not heard'! She only had herself to blame when things started to turn a bit lairy!
1. we tried to put her in her place but Locket just fell over and scared the chickens!
2. So then we fed her and hoped that would send her off to sleep - it was getting late by this point and well past her bedtime, even in the Summer holidays.
3. It all got a bit much when the real grown-up talk began. Ricrac had to block up Locket's ears to preserve her innocence!
4. So we snuggled her up with a mutant Magoo to try and get her to settle. It didn't work.
5. The last ditch effort involved sending her out to the garden to run off some of that energy but she simply chatted with Bob & Fred. It was a one-sided conversation.
6. So in the end Jodie strapped her in and took her home!
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Stash increases NOT purchased. (actually posted on 25/01/09)
Not content with offering one of the door prizes during Stage One of the Trash and Treasure meet-up the rather lovely Ballarat Patchwork shop also played host to a free-for-all of ex-stash laid on by both Emma Scrapbag and Jodie Ric-Rac. The bits I managed to spot and liberate during my damaged windscreen brain fog are shown in the middle picture.
The top picture is the result of my raiding Ric-Rac's bag of scrap (I had to fight of one of those four wise monkeys but it was worth it ;-) I have actually begun to make scrappy log cabins out of these bits.
And the bottom one is another pic of the wonderful prize I got from Ballaarat Patchwork. Gorgeous fabric, non?
so.... then we got home. (or Bad news, good news and some Aust. stash pics!)
Did I mention at any point that my b-i-l (father of the alien child) was staying here to look after my boys while we were away? Well (so graciously), he followed through on his Summer promise to do so.
He arrived a few days before we left and the childer and I trailed him as he walked both dogs together at the same time for the first time ever. Halfway through I asked him how it was and he said (promise this is an exact quote) "Like I am walking with my arms stuck out in front of me." Right away I knew it was going to be a hard row for my dogs to hoe (metaphorically typing of course) because he took no joy whatsoever in them, his surroundings, the fresh air, nothing! However I closed my eyes and mind to it all and off we went.
He arrived a few days before we left and the childer and I trailed him as he walked both dogs together at the same time for the first time ever. Halfway through I asked him how it was and he said (promise this is an exact quote) "Like I am walking with my arms stuck out in front of me." Right away I knew it was going to be a hard row for my dogs to hoe (metaphorically typing of course) because he took no joy whatsoever in them, his surroundings, the fresh air, nothing! However I closed my eyes and mind to it all and off we went.
We heard very little from him at any point. He didn't answer when CK rang him with Christmas or N.Y. wishes. He replied to one text. Would you not also take this to mean everything was well? We did. Oh silly, silly us.....
During CK's 'Hi, I'm back home and safe.' phonecall he mentioned that the grey dog was a little wobbly but that b-i-l figured it was a slipped something sustained during one of their long walks in icy conditions plus, y'know he was greatly improved since it had first happened a few days before CK came home!!!!!!!!! WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!
My old dog of pushing 15 years has had trouble standing for a few days and you haven't even spoken to the vet????? Of course CK played the whole thing down over the phone and the full extent of the situation wasn't revealed to me until I saw him for myself a week later. My poor faithful old grey-haired boy had some serious balance issues and was looking a little like a pretzel. His left ear was flicked up and there was something amiss with his left eye, not to mention the serious list to his head.
Friday evening was my only chance of a vet appointment and we took it with gratitude (by we I mean the dog and me as CK had been home for a week and not taken him - do not start me!). Having now watched him for 24 hours I could see all the things that were not right and had a horrible feeling the word 'stroke' may be mentioned. However our lovely vet said that
a) strokes are extremely rare in dogs.
b) for a dog of his age my grey one was in fabulous physical condition (except for the pretzel state and weird eye movements).
He diagnosed 'Vestibular Syndrome' (which I say is akin to Labrynthitis in people and the vet likened to the worst bout of seasickness EVER. )It may be down to a tumour, a brain lesion, an infection or just because and since it seemed to be getting better in the nearly TWO WEEKS since it had happened he would suggest it was just because.
Nice vet man likened it to being an 'anti-stroke' - rather than a burst of blood in the brain there had most likely been an occlusion and insufficient blood got in - and it was all in the area of brain linked to balance and muscle control and such. So he drugged him up with steroids, gave him pills for the next 14 days and we take him back next Friday to see where we go from there. So far he continues to improve, his appetite is back, his mobility is more free every day and this morning for about half an hour his head wasn't even a little bit twisted.
Apparently it could be he goes back to completely as he was before or he could plateau at any point but the vet assures me he is in no pain and the dog assures me he is hungry and ready for a walk anytime I want to take him. So I am happy with that because when you are nearly 15 in people years (= ~100 in dog years) it has to be about quality of life.
Did I mention that for nearly two weeks there was very little eating going on? Certainly on the grey dog's part. And no exercise for either dog? What neither CK nor his brother seemed to notice was the size of the black dog. My 11 y.o. black dog has gone from being a fit, healthy collie to a fluffy black-coated oompah-loompah in the space of two weeks. Quite sensibly my b-i-l has run away to Crete b/c when I next see him there may be some words said!
Enough of my hound sagas. Wanna see SOME of the stash supplies I purchased (won, was given) in Australia????
First up we have two balls of emotional saga displacement activity. The day of the great blogmeet I drove to Ballarat and less than halfway there a stone flew up and chipped my windscreen. In a slight panic about the $2500 (£1250) excess AND the potential explosion of the glass I drove the rest of the way wondering if I could get a quick flight to Paraguay. Lovely Emma at Ballarat Patchwork and Jodie fixed it all for me with a copy of the yellow pages, a phone and a guide to find the Windscreens O'Brien place. The nice man took my freely, gladly given $70 and told me to come back in half an hour. Luckily there was a Lincraft right next door so in I went. And brought out the these two knobbly yarns - very excited about trying to knit with cotton wool on a string!
The third pic is of a ball from the Wool Museum in Geelong. Geelong was THE seaport for wool export and so is now home to The National Wool Museum (Australia being built on the sheep's back and all!). We didn't go into the Museum, just the shop ;-) I asked the lady at the counter if the wool was Australian as the label only said hand-dyed in Australia. Just about bothering to tear herself away from the conversation with co-workers she said to me 'All our wool products are 100% Australian and 100% wool!' 'Except for the 7% nylon in this skein' I suggested. (Snooty witch, don't start with me!)
I may have to repost this picture - I tried to be clever and blend the pattern with the fabric but I think it may just be a jumble, let me know. The lovely Emma (again) at Ballarat Patchwork offered a door prize for any bloggers who left their blogname in a hat on the table. Even in my frantic car windscreen saga state I knew it would be a good plan to write my details on a piece of A4 embossed and embellished cardstock that vibrated and sparkled when touched - I was bound to get a prize ;-)
So now I have to actually MAKE a quilt! Do any of you know how long a process that is for me??? But it is very pretty isn't it? I can see Princess C-W snatching this one and snuggling with her new puppy some time soon. (when we get one - anyone?)
And for this post finally we have the fabric I found and fell in love with. Hands up who <3s Spotlight? (all of you non-Australian dwellers just put your hands up anyway because you WOULD love it if you could see it!)
While at home my oldest friend sent me an email to say her new boy had arrived into the world safely. And I was unable to stop myself on seeing this turtle fabric from having to bring some home because it will make the sweetest wee cot quilt. I think I bought the spots for the back and the orange for a border and binding. Or vice versa. But how gorgeous?!
Did I tell you we went to Echuca? Princess C-W took her project, we went on the Murray, we touched the Murray, we got extremely hot, we booked two hotel rooms and slept in one, we ate the worst meal EVER in Moama and while they mooched the main street I went and played in a lovely patchwork shop! The nice lady even offered to lock the doors as they walked away to give me enough time!
1. I bought this fat quarter of the housework fairies for a) the irony and b) the chartreuse background (apologies Wonderwoman ;-)
2. This is Australian designed fabric from the nice lady wot organises the quilt thing down at Lock. I did know her name but now cannot remember!
3. the dogs just had to come home with us, I thought Pr.C-W would love it.
4. Spots again by that Victorian designer. I will hunt out her name, promise.
5. And a metre of this fabulous fluffy ball ribbon. I will think of something one day but right then it was just beautiful!
There is more but I figured you could just enjoy a little bit at a time, I wouldn't want to rot your eyes with all that deliciousness!
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
15.12/31.12 Holiday pictures Part Six
After these pics there will be a short interlude before anymore holiday ones are displayed. This will give the management time to download them from their various hiding places and weed out the ones that are beyond boring to see - did I mention there were over 1000 pics taken?
These were all taken down on the farm on 29.12
1. Heading out to feed the racehorses.
2. Farmhouse still life (or as Giovanna's m-i-l would call it - firewood)
3. Is it mutual love? Princess Curly Wurly and a racehorse foal.
4. Feeding the racehorses.
2. Farmhouse still life (or as Giovanna's m-i-l would call it - firewood)
3. Is it mutual love? Princess Curly Wurly and a racehorse foal.
4. Feeding the racehorses.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
I just flew in from Singapore and BOY are my arms tired!
We have now completed the return journey and our first full day of jetlag.
I was done with sleeping by 0400 and up at 0500 and then the terences were up and moving by 05:30 so not too bad given that we were all asleep before 20:30 the previous night.
With all my heart I am in love with the transit hotel in Changi, it made the looooooooong leg of the flight completely bearable.
Leaving at 0900 meant we travelled back to the UK following daylight so there was very little sleep action going on in that 14 hours in a tin can. Except for d/Boy. He fell asleep for half an hour as we taxied to the runway at Changi and then again as the pilot informed us we would have to circle for a bit (30 mins plus!) before we could land at Heathrow.
I always try to be one of the last people off the plane. I see no point in standing in that narrow aisle for the 20/30 mins it can take before the crew even open the doors. So we just sat and let him sleep. His sleep was so deep and so long and sooooo0o not wanting to be disturbed that the crew were waiting to disembark while I was struggling to get his sleep-filled feet back into trainers.
However we got there and he dragged his sleepy body through the corridors at LHR, remained standing while we collected the five bags from the carousel and then swayed gently as I let him go to jampack the trolley with the luggage AND the seven pieces of hand luggage we had accumulated in our trek.
by the time we got to immigration there were no queues in the EU line so the nice official had plenty of time to look through our passports while he waited for d/Boy to catch up with us. Eventually we were let through and despite Pr.C-Dub's desire to go through the Red lane (because that is what I needed at that point - bored customs officials completely emptying all 12 of the bags I had with me while I held up a dozing seven y.o.!) we were out and free and heading home towards our very own hilltop town.
What waited me on return? Oh the fun is just beginning!
I was done with sleeping by 0400 and up at 0500 and then the terences were up and moving by 05:30 so not too bad given that we were all asleep before 20:30 the previous night.
With all my heart I am in love with the transit hotel in Changi, it made the looooooooong leg of the flight completely bearable.
Leaving at 0900 meant we travelled back to the UK following daylight so there was very little sleep action going on in that 14 hours in a tin can. Except for d/Boy. He fell asleep for half an hour as we taxied to the runway at Changi and then again as the pilot informed us we would have to circle for a bit (30 mins plus!) before we could land at Heathrow.
I always try to be one of the last people off the plane. I see no point in standing in that narrow aisle for the 20/30 mins it can take before the crew even open the doors. So we just sat and let him sleep. His sleep was so deep and so long and sooooo0o not wanting to be disturbed that the crew were waiting to disembark while I was struggling to get his sleep-filled feet back into trainers.
However we got there and he dragged his sleepy body through the corridors at LHR, remained standing while we collected the five bags from the carousel and then swayed gently as I let him go to jampack the trolley with the luggage AND the seven pieces of hand luggage we had accumulated in our trek.
by the time we got to immigration there were no queues in the EU line so the nice official had plenty of time to look through our passports while he waited for d/Boy to catch up with us. Eventually we were let through and despite Pr.C-Dub's desire to go through the Red lane (because that is what I needed at that point - bored customs officials completely emptying all 12 of the bags I had with me while I held up a dozing seven y.o.!) we were out and free and heading home towards our very own hilltop town.
What waited me on return? Oh the fun is just beginning!
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Part the First over and done
It is 05:58 here in Changi and both the terences have had a solid six hours sleep in a v. dark and relatively quiet hotel room. I have to say I think it was the BEST money I have spent all holiday. Having the sleep tanks half-full will go someway to making the next 16 hours slightly more endurable.We still have hree hours until our flight actually takes off - which means two until we head to the boarding gate but I know that for the next six to eight hours at least everyone should be in some kind of cheery mood. After that I may just pretend I don't actually know them ;-)
Keep a spare thought in your minds for us if you will be so kind, I would hate for the pilot to evict us at 35,000 feet!
Keep a spare thought in your minds for us if you will be so kind, I would hate for the pilot to evict us at 35,000 feet!
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Is Mr. Blogger psychic?
Have just left a commment on a blog (Missus Moog, I think) and the word verification was 'ANTSY' and that just about sums us up now.
After a month exactly since we left frozen, grey old Blighty the terences and myself begin the epic journey home. It took CK 40 hours from take-off to arriving back ontop the hill but I have a horrible feeling ours will be some many years longer. My best guess at the moment is 6.38 years.
The bags are mostly packed, I have found my sunglasses and my new shoes (was wearing both on Sat. if those in attendance would like to fondly remember my footwear - you didn't see them? Oh! I suppose most of the time I was barefoot but it is the only way to enjoy a Ceasar Salad Pedicure, don't you know ;-) and after a very sleepless night last night this morning the nice man confirmed the existence of my passport on their system and booked me and the terences in!
Princess Curly-Wurly has been in tears because she wants to go home now please and also because she doesn't want to have to say goodbye to her cousins and beloved Grandmother.
destructo-Boy is ready to go home because he misses his daddy.
I just wish someone would invent a teleporter because I have a horrible feeling the time it takes to get home will just keep on rising!
Thanks for being with me on The Great Trip Home.
After a month exactly since we left frozen, grey old Blighty the terences and myself begin the epic journey home. It took CK 40 hours from take-off to arriving back ontop the hill but I have a horrible feeling ours will be some many years longer. My best guess at the moment is 6.38 years.
The bags are mostly packed, I have found my sunglasses and my new shoes (was wearing both on Sat. if those in attendance would like to fondly remember my footwear - you didn't see them? Oh! I suppose most of the time I was barefoot but it is the only way to enjoy a Ceasar Salad Pedicure, don't you know ;-) and after a very sleepless night last night this morning the nice man confirmed the existence of my passport on their system and booked me and the terences in!
Princess Curly-Wurly has been in tears because she wants to go home now please and also because she doesn't want to have to say goodbye to her cousins and beloved Grandmother.
destructo-Boy is ready to go home because he misses his daddy.
I just wish someone would invent a teleporter because I have a horrible feeling the time it takes to get home will just keep on rising!
Thanks for being with me on The Great Trip Home.
Monday, 12 January 2009
OH! MY! STARS!
I can't believe how many people turned up to Ballarat Patchwork on Saturday!
And while I don't fool myself for a second it was to see me it was rather thrilling to be in the company of so many talented and clever and crafty (in a nice way) blogging women.
Huge thanks to Ric-Rac for being head honcho organiser person and chief salad thrower-arounder. Emma for being hostess for the first part of the event and graceful giver-awayer of such fabulous door prizes (Oh! And guess who is taking one home??? Heeee). Annie FlowerGarden for being such a kind hostess and opening her home in the evening to a loud and hungry rabble and finally to Silly Gilly (oo lala!) for being my companion in staying on.
I had a great time and when (IF!!) I ever get home I shall post pictures.
And while I don't fool myself for a second it was to see me it was rather thrilling to be in the company of so many talented and clever and crafty (in a nice way) blogging women.
Huge thanks to Ric-Rac for being head honcho organiser person and chief salad thrower-arounder. Emma for being hostess for the first part of the event and graceful giver-awayer of such fabulous door prizes (Oh! And guess who is taking one home??? Heeee). Annie FlowerGarden for being such a kind hostess and opening her home in the evening to a loud and hungry rabble and finally to Silly Gilly (oo lala!) for being my companion in staying on.
I had a great time and when (IF!!) I ever get home I shall post pictures.
Friday, 2 January 2009
15.12/31.12 Holiday pics part six
After these pics there will be a short interlude before anymore holiday ones are displayed. This will give the management time to download them from their various hiding places and weed out the ones that are beyond boring to see - did I mention there were over 1000 pics taken?
These were all taken down on the farm on 29.12
1. Heading out to feed the racehorses.
2. Farmhouse still life (or as Giovanna's m-i-l would call it - firewood)
3. Is it mutual love? Princess Curly Wurly and a racehorse foal.
4. Feeding the racehorses.
15/12-31/12 holiday photies part Five
This one is all down on 'the farm' and heavily features Giovanna and Paolo as well as CK and the terences.
L-R
1. 28 or 29/12 Trees on the farm
2. 29/12 destructoBoy (having picked up an AFL ball for the first time a few days previously) manages a pretty good Peter Busustow banana kick.
3.29/12 tasting the lucerne in the back paddock.
4. 29/12 leaping around on freshly cut and placed hayrolls.
5. 29/12 destructoBoy being taken for a ride on the 'Quaddie'.
6. 29/12 Princess Curly-Wurly coming into her own as a full-on rev head.
Holiday pictures 15/12-31/12 Part three
this one reads left to right from the top corner.
1. 27/12 The soldiers who defeated the miners during the historic battle of the Eureka Stockade (google it if political history interests you - or not) - or rather their painted bollard personages.
2. 28/12 Our very broken down car just past Lake Burrumbeet en route to the Grampians from Ballarat.
3. 27/12 Artwork of the Southern Cross (again - google it if pol.sci or astronomy speak to you) in the Eureka Park. (Waves at someone living near here;-)
4. 28/12 Fence post beside road where we sat for 2.5 hours aiting for new (even crappier)car to be delivered!
5. 27/12 Two pale English children wondering why Australian horses are wooden?
6. 27/12 Mahoosive example of the Eureka flag (politics/history/astronomy -I'm just saying for those interested)
7. 28/12 Pale Englishman pacing up and down side of road for over 2.5 hours b/c he can't sit down just onto the ground! By the time the 'new' car turned up even his watch strap was white with sunscreen.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
holiday pictures 15/12-31/12 Part Two
Top left across
1. 25/12 destructoBoy whacking the ball for all he is worth. (about 9pm by this point!)
2. 25/12 Christmas Tree as decorated by all the kids under the tutelage and watchful eye of Giovanna
3. 25/12 Playing cricket out in the oval near Granma's with all his boy cousins and two uncles and LOVING IT!
4. 25/12 Christmas decorations at Giovanna's house.
holiday pictures 15/12 to 31/12 Part One
Reading top left corner across
1. 24/12 Princess Curly Wurly at the National Gallery of Victoria Water Wall.
2. 24/12 Princess Curly Wurly playing @ approx.7pm on ST. Kilda Beach.
3. 24/12 Pr. C-W & DestructoBoy at Luna Park, ST. Kilda. Beach.
4. 21/12 Two of the five BBQs in action during Sylv's party.
5. 24/12 Pr. C-W and D/boy 'under the clocks' on Christmas Eve (please note his apparel!).
6. 21/12 Sylv opening party presents with Pr.C-W observing.
7. 24/12 D/boy and young cousin with a desperate greeting!
8. 22/12 Photograph of family en masse.
9. 22/12 Pr.C-W all dressed up for professional pictures.
10. 22/12 All the grandchildren bundling in on Granma.
11. 16/12 D/boy all snuggled up about four hours into his sleep of sixteen.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
late update #1
Two weeks today since we got here and we have hardly stopped.
Highlights (so far)
15/12 DestructoBoy sleeping for 17 hours after arrival 1 pm to the following 6 am! Princess C-W got 14!
16-20/12 I'm not sure. I think we slept. And maybe ate ;-)
21/12 Granma's 'ahemtieth' birthday going well.
Completing my speech before the threatened tears actually fell.
DestructoBoy and Princess Curly-Wurly both being gainfully employed and stayed out of mischief for the duration of the party.
22/12 Foreign visitors and her son-in-law offering to take Sylv out for lunch for her actual birthday b/c her lousy children had all buggered off to do shopping!
The professional we booked for the family photo should (I think) look for another trade.
We made my mum cry - a lot! (This was good crying - not because we all buggered off.)
23/12 A night spent in Melbourne saw us travel from one end to the other (Lygon Street to ST. Kilda Beach for any with local knowledge) and my boy having to wear home my jumper over his undies as he had had a discussion with the ocean!
24/12 Christmas Eve was spent wrapping and wrapping and wrapping - but if my kids are reading this it happened by magic!
25/12 Christmas morning after opening presents we went to the beach for a few hours. With towels and hats and sunscreen and everything!
Christmas evening/night I watched my boy play cricket with two of his uncles and all of his boy cousins. And then I might have just a little bit 'set the cat among the pigeons' with my mother's in laws. Is it bad if someone hangs up on you?
26/12 Boxing Day my lovely sister, Giovanna and her husband, Paolo took the terences to the surf beach to try out the new wetsuits they had given the kids for Christmas. Depending on who is telling the story the waves D/boy jumped were at least a metre high!
27/12 The next day CK and I took them back to the surf beach (these kids really were meant to live in a hot climate!) and watched as Princess C-W ran through the shallows, boogie board under her arm and paddled into the waves. Occasionally she even caught one in a little way! D/boy mooched in the shalllows but he had fun.
All four of us piled into a very grungey rental tank and head inland to rendevous with my sister before heading to her inlaws' farm. All good and well and there was still sufficient memory for me to find my way around my old hometown. I even waved at Ric-Rac's door (I think it was hers) as we drove past.
28/12 I say 'all well and good with the rental tank' except for the bit where 20 kms outside Ballarat it began to make a very weird knocking/clanky sound! So CK and I sat by the side of a v. busy road for over two hours in the midday sun waiting for rescue by the dodgey hire car people.
Having provided us with a replacement tank we legged it off towards the Grampians to try and catch Giovanna before the sun went down. Not very far up the road the throaty roar of the engine in the replacement vehicle sounded suspicioulsy like the knocking of a very ropey exhaust! Every dip and rough patch we hit for the next three days made us cringe and check the mirrors to see what might be left in the road behind us. Nothing has obviously fallen off yet but wait until I get in to see them tomorrow.
29/12 We played in Warnambool (or Warnambod as it says on my UK driver's licence) and I bought some posh new frocks (two skirts and a couple of shirts but you know - I take glamour where I can find it;-) then back to the farm for a walk to the creek, a ride on the quad bike, feeding the race horses, jumping across mahoosive haybales, tasting the lucerne, the kids riding in the tractor with my b-i-l's dad while he shifted the bales and then DestructoBoy got some further skill sessions in the art of Australian Rules football - poor thing, there is only so much his mother can teach him!
30/12 Despite gale force winds we braved the Great Ocean Road although I politely declined CK's offer of an helicopter flight to view the cliffs from the air on this particular day.
After having to hold on the the terences to stop them flying away at one veiwing spot (12 Apostles I think) we decided to head inland and found ourselves at the Otway Fly. Not a nasty airborne creature but a fabulous tree top walk which at its highest is some 45 metres up!
Princess C-W was running bravely along the gantries while poor old Babyman had really regressed and was clinging to the rail for dear life. I feel certain his evil mother making said paths sway was irrelevant to him
My girl abseiled down a 35 metre height this afternoon - I remain in awe of her bravery. Do you know I swear her general pinkness is washed with the red badge of courage in many situations? She really rocks.
Then we drove the collapso-mobile all the way back up here to the beach.
When Picasa and Google are friends again I shall upload pics until then let me say to you all - I hope your Christmas was fabulous and may your New Year be joy-filled and as fabulous as the last 12 months have been
Highlights (so far)
15/12 DestructoBoy sleeping for 17 hours after arrival 1 pm to the following 6 am! Princess C-W got 14!
16-20/12 I'm not sure. I think we slept. And maybe ate ;-)
21/12 Granma's 'ahemtieth' birthday going well.
Completing my speech before the threatened tears actually fell.
DestructoBoy and Princess Curly-Wurly both being gainfully employed and stayed out of mischief for the duration of the party.
22/12 Foreign visitors and her son-in-law offering to take Sylv out for lunch for her actual birthday b/c her lousy children had all buggered off to do shopping!
The professional we booked for the family photo should (I think) look for another trade.
We made my mum cry - a lot! (This was good crying - not because we all buggered off.)
23/12 A night spent in Melbourne saw us travel from one end to the other (Lygon Street to ST. Kilda Beach for any with local knowledge) and my boy having to wear home my jumper over his undies as he had had a discussion with the ocean!
24/12 Christmas Eve was spent wrapping and wrapping and wrapping - but if my kids are reading this it happened by magic!
25/12 Christmas morning after opening presents we went to the beach for a few hours. With towels and hats and sunscreen and everything!
Christmas evening/night I watched my boy play cricket with two of his uncles and all of his boy cousins. And then I might have just a little bit 'set the cat among the pigeons' with my mother's in laws. Is it bad if someone hangs up on you?
26/12 Boxing Day my lovely sister, Giovanna and her husband, Paolo took the terences to the surf beach to try out the new wetsuits they had given the kids for Christmas. Depending on who is telling the story the waves D/boy jumped were at least a metre high!
27/12 The next day CK and I took them back to the surf beach (these kids really were meant to live in a hot climate!) and watched as Princess C-W ran through the shallows, boogie board under her arm and paddled into the waves. Occasionally she even caught one in a little way! D/boy mooched in the shalllows but he had fun.
All four of us piled into a very grungey rental tank and head inland to rendevous with my sister before heading to her inlaws' farm. All good and well and there was still sufficient memory for me to find my way around my old hometown. I even waved at Ric-Rac's door (I think it was hers) as we drove past.
28/12 I say 'all well and good with the rental tank' except for the bit where 20 kms outside Ballarat it began to make a very weird knocking/clanky sound! So CK and I sat by the side of a v. busy road for over two hours in the midday sun waiting for rescue by the dodgey hire car people.
Having provided us with a replacement tank we legged it off towards the Grampians to try and catch Giovanna before the sun went down. Not very far up the road the throaty roar of the engine in the replacement vehicle sounded suspicioulsy like the knocking of a very ropey exhaust! Every dip and rough patch we hit for the next three days made us cringe and check the mirrors to see what might be left in the road behind us. Nothing has obviously fallen off yet but wait until I get in to see them tomorrow.
29/12 We played in Warnambool (or Warnambod as it says on my UK driver's licence) and I bought some posh new frocks (two skirts and a couple of shirts but you know - I take glamour where I can find it;-) then back to the farm for a walk to the creek, a ride on the quad bike, feeding the race horses, jumping across mahoosive haybales, tasting the lucerne, the kids riding in the tractor with my b-i-l's dad while he shifted the bales and then DestructoBoy got some further skill sessions in the art of Australian Rules football - poor thing, there is only so much his mother can teach him!
30/12 Despite gale force winds we braved the Great Ocean Road although I politely declined CK's offer of an helicopter flight to view the cliffs from the air on this particular day.
After having to hold on the the terences to stop them flying away at one veiwing spot (12 Apostles I think) we decided to head inland and found ourselves at the Otway Fly. Not a nasty airborne creature but a fabulous tree top walk which at its highest is some 45 metres up!
Princess C-W was running bravely along the gantries while poor old Babyman had really regressed and was clinging to the rail for dear life. I feel certain his evil mother making said paths sway was irrelevant to him
My girl abseiled down a 35 metre height this afternoon - I remain in awe of her bravery. Do you know I swear her general pinkness is washed with the red badge of courage in many situations? She really rocks.
Then we drove the collapso-mobile all the way back up here to the beach.
When Picasa and Google are friends again I shall upload pics until then let me say to you all - I hope your Christmas was fabulous and may your New Year be joy-filled and as fabulous as the last 12 months have been
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